My Predictions for UFC 200: Las Vegas

So, we have finally made it to UFC 200!! I look forward to this UFC event with great anticipation. I have been a serious fan of MMA for about 10 years now. I was always bullish on the UFC and I thought the promotion enjoy significant growth, but I must admit it has exceeded my expectations and probably the expectations of most other people in the MMA world. Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta bought the UFC for 2 million dollars in 2001. The Fertitta’s and their partner UFC President Dana White are now rumored to be entertaining offers for the promotion that exceed4 Billion dollars!?!

I don’t think I have ever posted predictions for an entire UFC card, including the preliminary fights, but I going to give this one a shot. The entire card is stacked!! I must say I envy those that have tickets for this event in Vegas.

Main Card

Light Heavyweight: Daniel Cormier (+235) vs. Jon Jones (-305)

I have to go with Bones Jones. Both fighters are absolutely great, but Jones is simply the best fighter in UFC history imo. His size and reach advantage combined with outstanding wresting skills and extraordinary take defense give him the edge vs Cormier.

Heavyweight: Brock Lesnar (+130) vs. Mark Hunt (-160)

This late addition to the card is certainly welcome. It should a really interesting fight. It may not last very long, but it should not lack for action.

I think Brock is going to pull off the upset and win in return to the Octagon. Lesnar by ground and pound. This fight could also go Hunt by KO very easily, but I think Brock stands decent chance of winning this fight. Lesnar himself has admitted that if the fight stays standing he will probably lose. The 42 yr old Hunt is a very experienced former kick boxer and powerful hitter that is very capable of KO’ing Lesnar or any other HW if he is able to land a clean shot. OTOH, Lesnar has also said if he can bring this fight to the ground it will be over for Hunt and I agree.

Women’s Bantamweight: Miesha Tate (-265) vs. Amanda Nunes (+205)

I have to pick Champion Miesha Tate here. I don’t know too much about Nunes, but I have followed Miesha Tate for a long time and I know she is a very solid, well rounded fighter.

Featherweight: Jose Aldo (-110) vs. Frankie Edgar (-120)

I think the near even odds do accurately reflect just how tough call this fight is. Two absolutely top tier fighters. I think Frankie is going avenge his prior loss to Aldo.

Jersey Strong wins by decision.

Heavyweight: Cain Velasquez (-305) vs. Travis Browne (+235)

I have to pick former HW Champ Cain Velasquez for this fight. Browne is a very capable HW and his size and reach may present some problems for Velasquez. However, if Cain is healthy I just don’t see Browne stopping him.

Fox Sports 1 Preliminary Card

Women’s Bantamweight: Cat Zingano (-170) vs. Julianna Pena (+140)

Another toss up. I’ll go Zingano simply because she

Welterweight: Johny Hendricks (-175) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (+145)

Hendricks

Bantamweight: T.J. Dillashaw (-400) vs. Raphael Assuncao (+300)

T.J. Dillashaw

Lightweight: Sage Northcutt (-335) vs. Enrique Martin (+255)

Northcutt is a significant favorite. I don’t know anything about his opponent, but Northcutt is a very promising fighter who has potential to become a huge star for the UFC because of his youth, spectacular athletic ability and good looks. Sage suffered his first defeat in his last fight and I don’t think he wants another L at this stage of his career.

UFC Fight Pass Preliminary Card

Lightweight: Diego Sanchez (-115) vs. Joe Lauzon (-115)

I have no idea how this fight will go, other than to say it probably won’t end in a decision. Oh, and there will probably be a lot of blood spilled in this too. I think that is a safe bet.

Ok, I have to make a choice here and I will go with Sanchez, but I won’t be surprised at all if Lauzon pulls this fight out.

Middleweight: Gegard Mousasi (-667) vs. Thiago Santos (+445)

Gegard Mousasi comes in as the big favorite and that is justified. He’s won 3 out of last 4 fights and he is still a top ten MW.

Lightweight: Jim Miller (-230) vs. Takanori Gomi (+180)

Miller. Going with the Jersey guy. That’s all I need to base my choice on. Seriously, both these guys are tough UFC veterans, but I think Miller

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